Beyond Eternity

DAY 5, P.M

“That's some good penmanship.” Said the boy as he began to read the text.

I don’t usually write letters, I'm not one to keep a diary or journal or whatever.

“That's too bad considering the quality of this writing.” said the boy before he resumed his reading.

However, I write this now as our kingdom is in turmoil, the king's court has gone mad and savage, commanding us to imprison and even kill those who opposes them, and the thing is, each court official, prince and princess is against each other which means that everyone is breaking the rules despite who they side with, even us guards, I can’t handle this anymore. The ramparts guards including myself have decided upon ourselves to disobey the higher ups and protect the citizens on our own, we defend the kingdom from outside threats all the time and we won’t allow it to crumble from the inside, we will continue living even without the king and his court.

I was told by our commander, who also happens to be my father that the ensuing conflicts are the cause of the kingdom's treasure, that secret artifact nobody knows about and yet is sworn to protect, it seems however that some had found out what it is and want it for themselves, apparently, our commander knows as well, and planned to tell me about it, that is before he was killed by the first princess herself with a stab in the neck, this all happened after she summoned him for a “personal request” along with some tea, of course, a knight wouldn't come in full armor for a tea party. I was told the news by the princess's personal guard and my childhood friend.

Despite what she did, I do not despise her, I was taught by my father that revenge is futile and that it only continues the cycle of hatred, however, my friend who was supposed to guard her, the princess, was he who took justice in his own hands and killed her in the late of night, that is after forcing out of her what the artifact really is. How I grieve for her and my father, no words can tell of my loneliness right now. The killer, my former friend, said all this to me, even revealing the artifact's identity, he told me of how he killed the princess with so much happiness in his tone that I couldn't handle it and renounced our friendship there and then. So much for an elite guardian.

But more importantly, I shall say what the Identity of the kingdom's treasure is.

The elixir of life.

“Huh?” said the boy.

It feels so mythical, so unrealistic, for such an object to exist, let alone be right below our noses all this time, I could question its credibility all I want but that wouldn't change that those who know about it really believe that it is real, for if they didn't, why are we all fighting?

Everyone who knew about this began to act upon themselves, the princess, my father, my childhood friend, the court officials, the sons and daughters of the king, all who knew and believed couldn't resist its temptations, and so “this” happened.

It’s almost funny, I would be laughing we're it not for its effects that I experienced firsthand. But unlike the corrupted peoples of this kingdom, I will not succumb to its temptations, I will protect it with my life and I will protect this kingdom with it just as my oath stated, even if those in higher power had already forgotten about it. After all, why was it hidden there all this time? Why was it not used upon its discovery? Our generation is making a mistake by attempting to release it and I will correct that.

After a short pause, the boy spoke. “That's it? That's the end?! I thought there'd be more to it than that!” looking disappointed.

“But still, The elixir of life huh? Like he said, it seems otherworldy, I wonder what happened to it after? Was it stolen or?”

Noticing that it was already past midday, the boy said “No, there's no point in thinking about all this on my own, perhaps I'll be lead to another location later, but for now, I think I’ll need a few moments to process this, perhaps I’ll just take a nap.” In a drowsy tone.

He dozed off in that windy tower, so high that it felt to the boy as though he was atop a pillar touching the very sky.

He awakened later on, feeling refreshed. He then decided to climb down the ladder.

Upon reaching the floor where he climbed from, he noticed the letter, tied to the very ladder he was using

“Just as I thought.” He said and began reading it. “Enter the prison as soon as you read this, it is left of here, upon arrival, head straight ahead as far as you can from its entrance.”

“This one feels urgent.” said the boy “Well, I still have time before the day ends so I might as well do it.”

Just a short distance off the path, another letter appeared before the boy.

“On second thought, you’re better off going there tomorrow rather than today.” It read.

“This one seems to have been written much more recently that the last.” He thought to himself.

“Well, I am tired from the climbing, so I guess I’ll wrap this up.”

“I really did not expect him to take so long atop the tower, did he fall asleep or something?” thought the girl who was watching from afar. “Well, I guess that’s that”

When the boy returned to the castle that evening, he was surprised to see a plate of Mutton chops just in front of the throne, at the floor alongside the fruit basket the boy himself kept.

“And suddenly, I’ve been gifted magically appearing food for my efforts, a blessing indeed.” He said out loud. “I’m surprised none of the animals around ate it already, well that’s a mystery.”

He had his fill and thought. “No lute playing today huh?”

After a short moment of waiting, he thought once more. “Well, it’s not like I can expect to be treated like royalty all the time.”

He left the throne room and tuckered himself to bed.

The girl, on the other hand, was at her watchtower the entire time, while making her own food, she filled her head with thoughts.

“Was that Mutton chop I made fine? Perhaps I roasted it a little too much.”

“Here’s yours.” She said as she lay a few platters of meat on the floor.

She had her fill and thought. “He must be dismayed by the lack of music” and chuckled.

After a short moment of sitting idly, she thought once more. “Well, he’s going to have to get used to these living conditions too.”

She went to the tower’s peak and tuckered herself to bed.